Sunday 18 February 2007

Review: Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale from Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
Rating: B+

Poured out of a brown bottle - is this one of the Samuel Smith's beers that recently changed from a clear bottle?

Appearance: Deep orange/amber in color, large two/three finger fluffy off-white head that exhibits excellent retention and lacing.

Smell: Sweet malt and diacetyl, a bit reminiscent of Bass in aroma (not surprising to be reminded of another English Pale Ale). Aroma is on the light side, little in the way of hops aroma - the hops character that is present is reminiscent of a pilsner somehow - maybe I'm picking up on the hops used?

Taste: Much more bitter than I had expected based on the aroma alone. Bread from the malt, diacetyl from the yeast, and a slight acidic orange juice citrusy-ness from the hops.

Mouthfeel: Creamy mouthfeel. Acidic and dry finish. Good carbonation, a little bit on the light side - good for the style.

Drinkability: Not a bad session English Pale Ale. Perhaps curiously for an American beer drinker, I think I prefer this to their IPA - I find the diacetyl lower in this one, and maybe just as bitter.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 02-18-2007 23:19:15

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